Saturday, August 28, 2010

Jesse suggested a family walk and a swim in the lake this morning and boy am I glad we went! Absolutely lovely 4.5 mile loop trail called the Iron Hill Trail. Totally in the shade the whole way, slathered with moss on all sides, and around the lake a lot of the way so you can see the water, which was perfectly clear and emerald green.

Now I wish I had taken a few shots of the trail on the way because it was really a treat to walk on.

The girls are basically fearless when it comes to the water, which could be a bad thing, but I don't worry when Jesse is so close by.

Silly and sweet, sweet and silly. They take turns. :)

And the very best part of the day...Daddy had to take Lilah for her very first dip in the lake. With him as her Daddy, it will be the very first of many. But I think it is supercool that we got the moment "on film." The older girls were both about 2 their first time on the boat, so it won't be long before she is joining them on their fishing excursions.

We all had a great time and by the time we got back to the Jeep the girls were completely pooped. They are sacked out watching a movie and eating popcorn right now, I wouldn't be surprised if they weren't both sound asleep in the next half hour.

On the drive home Jesse said, "We should make this a Saturday morning tradition." ♥♥♥ He's the best.

The summer is winding down, school has started, and in the mornings there is the teeny-tiniest breath of Fall. We all look forward to the weather breaking in the deep South, but after today, I do wish we had another month of Summer to enjoy a new found Saturday morning tradition. Maybe we can squeeze it in again a couple more times before it gets chilly.

Tuesday, August 24, 2010

Some recent pics of my little sweet cheeks. She will be 3 months old on 8-27. Would you just look at those fat little cheeks? It is from all the smooches we plant on them, I believe.

Smiley, relaxed, alert, happy child. She sleeps like a rock and loves to babble and talk to her sisters. She is an absolute pleasure to be around. It is amazing how quickly one's family is forever altered - I can't imagine life without her now. We are all madly in love. (And you are too, I know. It's okay. She's awesome like that. ♥)

Natalie's little friend Brynna came over Saturday for a playdate. The girls slid down the stairs on a blanket, built a blanket fort, and otherwise partied hard for 2 hours. When it was time for Brynna to leave, Natalie said, "But you JUST got here!!!"

These two have been in the same class together since Kindergarten, but Brynna's family is moving to NOVA and as soon as their house sells, they are on their way. We will be sad to see them go.

The girls are loving school and I could not be more proud of them. Pretty sure I am the most blessed woman on earth because I get to be their mom. :)

Saturday, August 14, 2010

Yes indeed, it has happened. Another of our daughters has started school.

No one ever told me how emotional this would be. I was completely unprepared to feel the lump in my throat rise up, again!! Didn't I get this out of my system when Natalie started Kindergarten?

Watching her give her folder to Mrs. Lena and hang up her back pack, I was doing fine. Proud of her, excited for her, blessed that we have the privilege of having her in such a fantastic school, with the same teacher Natalie had for Kindergarten.

This means the world to my sweet little Mini-Me. She is cautious in her approach to new situations and it takes her a while to check out anything new and feel comfortable with it.

But since Natalie had Mrs. Lena, Madeline was with me every day to pick her up, and every single day, she saw Lena and said hello.

And Mrs. Lena would smile and say, "Hi Madeline!"

You might think that is small, but it was huge to Madeline. And me. :)

So on her first day of Kindergarten, she looked comfortable, relaxed, and excited as if she was walking into her own birthday party. Seeing her sitting at her desk, bright-eyed and smiling in anticipation, made it so much easier for me to walk out that door.

And then it happened.

Lena said to me, "No tears."

I smiled and said, "Oh, I'm fine!"

You shouldn't lie to your child's teacher.

Walking out to the car, I was fighting aforementioned lump in throat. My middle child is in school.

Jesse, on the other hand, hopped in the Jeep with his characteristic excitement and positivity, ready to do the "FREEEEEEEEEEE-DOM!!!!!!" shout from Braveheart.

Obviously no lump there. :) Then from the backseat, he was reminded by the coo of a tiny cherub that we aren't home free just yet. :)

Her first day was Tuesday, and she has come home every day with a huge smile on her face, stories to tell and projects to show.